Tama Art University Library

Description

This library is part of Tama University. The university was part of the reconstruction effort in Hachioji, a city on the outskirts of Tokyo that was almost completely destroyed in World War II. With an educational ethos based on the critical spirit and the relationship between different disciplines, the architecture of the library aims to encourage interaction through a unitary and flexible space and a direct connection with its surroundings. The first floor houses a diverse programme of exhibitions, cultural events and theatre. It is a space for the university community, including professors and students, who often visit it even if they don’t need to go to the library. A system of slender arches serves as both structure and envelope for the building. Made of steel profiles and covered in concrete, these arches are up to 16 metres wide and the intersections between them allow for their slenderness. This space without interior boundaries is reminiscent of the hypostyle halls of historic Islamic architecture, creating an atmosphere of seclusion that is perfect for study and reflection. The slight curvature of the lines of arches generates a volume that breaks with the uniformity of the rest of the buildings on the campus, giving it an iconic presence that strengthens its aim to catalyse social interaction at the university.